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E170ColorantLow concern
Calcium Carbonate
In plain words
The short version
A white mineral pigment used as a colorant, anticaking agent, and calcium fortifier.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
No ADI required. Essential nutrient. EFSA's tolerable upper intake level for total calcium is 2,500 mg/day for adults; long-term total intakes at that level from diet and supplements were tolerated without adverse effects.
The detail
One of the most abundant minerals on earth, forming limestone, chalk, and marble. Food-grade calcium carbonate is mined and finely milled, or precipitated from purified calcium hydroxide solutions.
Used as a white pigment in confectionery, an anticaking agent in dry mixes, a calcium fortifier in plant milks and cereals, and an antacid in pharmaceuticals.
White, odorless, insoluble in water but reacts with acids to release CO2. Available in different particle sizes for different applications.
Permitted globally with no quantitative limit for most food uses.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of calcium carbonate (E 170) in foods for infants below 16 weeks and follow-up for all population groups (2023) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2023. No numerical ADI needed; aluminium impurity flagged
- WHO JECFA database — Calcium carbonate (INS 170(i)): ADI 'not limited' — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (WHO), 1965. No ADI required, subject to total calcium load
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 184.1191 Calcium carbonate (affirmed as GRAS), current as of 13 Oct 2026 — US Food and Drug Administration / Office of the Federal Register, 2026. US: no limit other than good manufacturing practice
- EFSA — Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of calcium (2012) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2012. UL for total calcium 2,500 mg/day; no established link to kidney stones
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.